Machine for bending metallic plates.



G. W. WELLS.

MACHINE FOR BENDING METALLIC PLATES.

APPLICATION FILED 2512.9, 1912 1,030,259, Patented June 18,1912.

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- G. W. WELLS.

MACHINE FOR nnunme METALLIC PLATES.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.9, 1912.

Patented June 18, 1912.

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I [NVE/V TOR Aflomey mll UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE W. WELLS, 0F AMESBURY, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNO R OF ONE-HALF TO THE WALKER-WELLS COMPANY, OF AMESBURY, MASSACHUSETTS, A COPARTNERSHIP.

MACHINE FOR BENDING METALLIC PLATES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 18, 1912.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Gnoncn WELLS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Amesbury, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Bending Metallic Plates, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is the producticn of an improved machine for bending and flanging metallic plates, which ma chine preferably shall have an open end or open ends so sheets of metal longer than the length of the machine may be bent;

which shall be adapted to bend two adjacent edges of a metallic sheet to positions at right angles to each other and both also angularly disposed to the plane of the sheet, or, in other words, adapted to bend the metal to form a box corner; which shall be adapted to bend or flange sheets of different thicknesses without any adjustment of parts; which can be made of any length and the weight increased only in proportion to the length, that is, a machine 8 in length to" weigh only four times the weight of a ma. chine 9. long; which shall be so constructed that the edges of the parts engaging the metal. while being bent will be maintained in their proper relative positions, generally in a straight line, and no one or all of the The invention consists in certain novel-' ties of construction and combinations of parts as hereinafter set forth and claimed.

The accompanying drawings illustrate one example of the physical embodiment of the invention constructed according to the best mode of procedure I have so far devised for the purpose.

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of the entire machine as it appears when in use, a sheet of metal being in the machine. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the machine showing the clamping plate raised and the bending plate lowered. Fig. 3 is an end view of Fig. 1 in elevation, parts being broken away and the movements of certain parts indicated by dotted lines. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of part of the movable bending plate. Fig. 5 is a perspective View of part of a cam locking lever. Fig. 6 illustrates in perspective one of the brackets.

Referring to the figures, the numeral 1 designates the bed or table having a top surface 2, a flange or series of flanges 3 at right angles to the surface of the bed or table, a straight edge A, and legs 4 or other suitable means for supporting the bed or table.

Secured to the flange or flanges 3 of the bed and at suitable intervals are brackets 5, each having a flange 6 by which it is bolted or riveted to the bed, a curved flanged bearing surface 7 preferably constituting the arc of a circle, a lug 8, and a hole 9 in the free end to receive a bolt.

Pivoted to each bracket by a bolt 10 are slotted levers 11 which fit over the free edges of the brackets. To the ends of levers 11 is secured the clamping plate 12 which has a beveled surface 13 and a straight edge B, as shown. Locking levers 1 1 are pivoted to the ends of the slotted levers by bolts 15, each lever having a short arm 16 with a cam 17 and a long arm 18 with a handle 19 wherever desired. The long arms of the levers 1% are pivotally united by a connecting bar 20 so all can be operated simultaneously by one of the handles.

The movable bending plate 21 has a flange 22, a series of convex bearing surfaces 23 engaging the flanges 7 of the brackets,

straight edge C at the axis of rotation of the plate, and an operating lever 26 secured to the plate and preferably provided with a curved handle. A metallic plate 27 is shown in the machine, Figs. 1 and't.

Itwill be observed that the three straight edges: A of the bed, B of the clamp, and C of the bendingplate, are in juxtaposition and will substantially be maintained in their proper relative positions under all conditions. The bed plate being angular in cross section will not bend in a horizontal or vertical plane, the clamping plate will not bend sidewise, as it is held straight by the slotted levers engaging the brackets, and the bending plate being angular in cross section, and guided by the flanges of the brackets, will maintain its proper shape.

l. The combination in a bending machine,

of a bed plate with a flange at right angles thereto, a series of separate brackets each having a bearing with a curved surface and secured at one end to the flange of the bed plate, the other ends of the brackets being free, a series of levers pivoted to the free ends of the brackets, a clamping plate secured to one arm of each lever, means in connection with the opposite ends of the levers and the brackets for forcing the clamping plate against the bed plate, a bodily movable bending element movable about its edge as an axis and guided by the curved surfaces of the brackets, and means for moving said bending element.

2. The combination in a bending machine, of a bed plate with a flange at right angles thereto, a series of separate brackets each having a bearing with a curved surface and secured at one end to the flange of the bed plate, the other ends of the brackets being free, a series of levers pivoted to the free ends of the brackets, a clamping plate secured to one arm of each lever, means in connection with the opposite ends of the levers and the brackets for forcing the clamping plate against the bed plate, a bodily movable bending element, comprising a plate 21 with a flange 22 and having a series of convex bearing surfaces, movable about its edge as an axis and guided by the curved surfaces of the brackets, and means for moving said bending element.

3. The combination in a bending machine, of a series of brackets each with a curved bearing surface, a bed plate secured to the tary bending element angular in cross sec-' tion movable about one edge as an axis and guided by the curved bearing surfaces of the brackets, means for actuating the levers and forcing the clamping plate upon the bed plate, and means for moving the said bending element; a

4. The combination in a bending machine, of a bed plate; a plurality of brackets, each having a curved bearing surface, a lug, and a free end; a clamping plate; a plurality of slotted levers carrying the clamping plate and j ournaled to the brackets; a plurality of locking levers pivoted to the slotted levers and adapted to engage the lugs upon the brackets; and a bending plate engaging the curved surfacesof the brackets.

5. The combination in a bending machine,

of a. bed plate; a plurality of brackets, each having a curved bearing surface, a lug, and a free end; a clamping plate; a plurality of slotted levers carrying the clamping plate and journaled to thebrackets; a plurality of locking levers pivoted to the slotted levers and adapted to engage the lugs upon the brackets; a bar pivotally connecting all the levers so they may be moved simultaneously; and a bending plate engaging the curved surfaces of the brackets.

6. The combination in a bending machine, of a bed plate; a plurality of brackets, each having a curved bearing surface, a lug, and a free end; a clamping plate; a plurality of slotted levers carrying the clamping plate and journaled to the brackets; a plurality adapted to turn; and means having bearings each in the shape of the arc of a circle for guiding and holding the opposite side of the said bending element as it is turned about its axis.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE W. WELLS. I Witnesses:

RAYMOND J HOITT, CHARLES I. PETTINGELL.

Copies of this patent ma be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. a 

